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21
Return Cases of Scablet Fever.
Of the secondary cases of scarlet fever, six were "return" cases i.e. cases
which occurred in a house soon after the return home of a patient from
hospital. There was also another case in which the primary case was
removed to hospital from a house outside the Borough.
Errors in Diagnosis.
During the year only seven patients were returned home from the
Metropolitan Asylums Board Hospitals reported as not suffering from scarlet
fever, or only 3.6 per cent.
DIPHTHERIA.
The number of cases of diphtheria notified was 50, of which, 21 belonged
to St. Giles and Bloomsbury, and 29 to the Holborn District. All but one
were removed to hospital. The average number of notifications for the preceding
decennium was 94, 33 for St. Giles and Bloomsbury, and 61 for the
Holborn District. Three of the cases were on the nursing staff of the
Hospital for Sick Children.
Secondary Cases.
In one house three secondary cases occurred all notified within a week of
the first case. At another house two secondary cases occurred, notified three
days after the primary case. At one house there was one secondary case
which occurred after the return home from the hospital of the primary case.
Return Cases.
There was only one return case being the one mentioned above.
Errors in Diagnosis.
Five patients were returned from the hospitals of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board as not suffering from diphtheria, or 10 per cent. of the patients
removed.
Diphtheria Anti-toxin.
With a view of diminishing the mortality from, and severity of, the
disease, in persons suffering from diphtheria it is desirable that anti-toxin
serum should be administered as early as possible. In many doubtful cases